Staff Profiles

Webster Montessori School is a private preschool and elementary school located on the border of Webster and Penfield and is centrally located for all eastern suburbs of Rochester, at 1310 Five Mile Line Road, Webster New York 14580.

WMS Staff

Jacqueline Griebel, Head of School

JJ, as she is more commonly known, has been finding connections to Montessori most of her life. Her first formal education was in a Montessori preschool in Michigan and that had a strong impact on her continued educational experiences. When she began a family of her own, she knew immediately she wanted the same educational foundation for her three children.

JJ has a degree in Mathematics and Art History as well as a concentration in Education. She worked for several years in management leading process improvement projects.

JJ came to Webster Montessori School as a parent and eventually served three years as the Board of Trustees President. She is now in her 8th year as the Head of School where she applies her background in management and her appreciation for all things Montessori.

Directresses

Courtney Drexler, Toddler Classroom Directress

Courtney has several years of experience working with young children both professionally and personally. Courtney is the mom of a two-year-old daughter. She finished her Montessori toddler training and now has her Montessori teaching diploma. When she has free time, Courtney enjoys reading a good book.

Lisa Maltese, Primary Classroom Directress

Lisa first found Webster Montessori School as a place for her oldest son to begin his education. She knew she was giving him a gift to last a lifetime and soon realized she wanted to be a part of that experience. Her Montessori journey has led her to become a Montessori Directress and she completed her training at Nazareth College Montessori program. Lisa has been teaching for 10 years.

Lisa Van Vechten, Primary Classroom Directress

Lisa joined WMS as a primary directress in 1997 after receiving her AMI diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute. Lisa has a Bachelors degree in Human Development/ Early Childhood Studies. Having a mother who was a Montessori Directress, it was a natural fit for Lisa and her husband, Devon, to send their two daughters through the primary Montessori program. Lisa finds the Montessori environment the perfect venue for supporting children and their parents through the journey of development. Spending time with her family and grandchildren and enjoying the outdoors fill Lisa's days outside of WMS.

Paula Vargas, Primary Classroom Directress

Paula has taught at Montessori schools all over the world and has been with Webster Montessori School for 16 years. She speaks three languages and brings a strong International dimension to her classroom. She most appreciates the light of discovery a child finds after struggling with an activity.

Paula has a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. She has lived and taught in France and Spain, and speaks three languages. Paula also participated in the INTAG (International Agriculture) program and was sent by the USDA to India with Cornell University. Her child and grandchildren attended Montessori schools. Paula's favorite pastimes include reading, gardening, and foreign travel.

Carol McCoon, Elementary Directress

Carol comes to us with Montessori certification at both the Primary and Elementary levels. She has taught at a number of Montessori schools and worked with many of our Directresses over the years. Carol enjoys leading our Elementary classroom.

Nicolle Franchot, Elementary Directress

Nicolle received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. John Fisher College in 2004 and an AMI diploma from Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland in 2006. She has been a Montessori Elementary Directress since beginning her training in 2004. Nicolle has taught throughout the US, including Arizona, Hawaii, Ohio, and found her way back to her hometown of Rochester with her family.

All of her children are Montessori students; her son is a Kindergarten student in a Primary class, and her daughter is in a Toddler class. Nicolle likes gardening, crafts, cooking, and art. She enjoys bringing these passions into the classroom whenever possible. She believes she is never done learning.

Wrap-around Staff

Neysa Franchot

Bonnie Hill

Abigail Johnson

Nancy Hackett

Diana Schultz

Classroom Assistants

Meghan D’Hondt

Gina Domicello

Becky Iacobacci

Sarah LaPlaca

Barbara Mattuzzi

Savita Mehta

Robyn Motsay

Yasuko Poutre

Carell Smith

Physical Education

Debra Carpenter

Music

Mercedes Winbush

Administrative Staff

Susan Kinsman, Business Manager

Susan has been with Webster Montessori School for 15 years and continues to grow her role as an integral part of the administrative team. She provides a source of history for the school and is at the center of our community. Like everyone here, Susan really enjoys the children who make all our work so worthwhile.

Jennifer Giorgione, Admissions Coordinator

Jennifer has been with Webster Montessori School for 10 years and spent 7 of those years as our Admissions Coordinator. She is the first person most people talk to when they call to learn more about our school. Jennifer enjoys the staff and families that make up our community and watching the children grow.

Susan Rainero, Development Director

Susan moved to Webster from North Carolina where she served as the Director of Community Development for a local home health and hospice agency. After moving to NY, Susan worked with the Girl Scouts of Western New York as their Grant Manager. Susan is excited to take part in the WMS effort to expand its current understanding of philanthropy and fundraising.

Mani Verma, Wrap-around Program Director

Mani started at Webster Montessori School as a Classroom Assistant and is now coordinating our Wrap-around program. She has been with us for 10 years and really enjoys the challenges that each day brings. Mani thinks the family atmosphere makes WMS very special.

Webster Montessori School is a 501(c)(3) organization. WMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability in admission or access to its programs and activities or employment.